Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1887-01-26
GREAT BATTLE PICTURE.
Some Oseryations on the Beauties and Realisms
ofths Gettysbu,s Spsetscsias Panorama

ofths 6eftysburs spctscsiar Panorama
st. Paul Dispatch: Although hundreds OF
citizens of ST Pual and strangers visit the
great Gettysburg panorama at the corner
| OF Sixth and ST. Peter streets every day,
there are thousands more who have not
yet realized the splendid attractions oil
this matchless spectacular exhibition.
They pass it by as an unexcitins sort of
show-good, but not exhilaratine. On the
contrary there is no theater in all the
country where so exciting tragedy holds
the boards.
On the wonderful canvas OF the Gettys.
burg picture is portrayed one OF the realities
ofhis.ory. What are sham grieis aud
mock tears compared to the reality OF that
fierce onslaught which fixed the nations
destiny, turned the babbling brooks to
blood, and planted the crimson flower OF
death broadcast along its wooded hills!
The sriess OF the footlight world are soon
forgotten, but the grieis that sprang to
lie from Gettysburg field shall never find
assuagement within thousands OF stricken
hearts until the peace OF eternal years en-.
folds them.
The picture represents the decisive &C
ton of July 3, 1868. 1t was painted by
artists who thoroughly posted themselves
as to the location OF troops, the landscape
and other details Of the fight as it actual
~ took place. By such care they we're en-
abled to reproduce the maheuvers of that
dreadful day, 30, that; looking upon the
work, we can not realize that we are gazing
only upon mechanical effects. The area OF
the picture is 10000 square feet. The
wonderful blending of effects in the fore.
ground so deceives the eye that one can
not separate the real from the unreal.
Entering the unique building in which
the painting is on exhibition, through
dark passage, you grope your way, until
the ascent OF an unlighted stairway ushers
you suddenly into new region. You have
left the streets of St. Paul behind you
and penetrated one OF Pennsylvania s
lovelest valleys. About you lie wooded
hills that belt With living green a stretch OF
fields and meadows. An old rail fence zig.
Gags across the foreground. The illusion
is perfect as your eve takes iii the swarm
ing blue-coats and the upspringing uni.
forms OF grey confronting them.
Taking your standpoint at the exact
center OF the scene OF action, you soon lose
thought of all the world hut the exciting
sweep of events about you. The horses
full of splendid courage and dauntless de-
sire. Rosa Bouheur never painted a better
scene OF animal life i'll action. Every
muscle stands out like whip-cords. Under
a copse to the south OF IL central stand
point the never. to- be-forgotten charge OF
General Pickett and his desperate men is
in progress-a charge which proved the
tide-water mark OF the rebellion, from
which it slowly ebbed to it's close You
can almost hear the sharp whistle OF bull
let's and the unceasing roar OF batteries, as
the carnage is at its height. From the
pale lips OF wounded men you seem to
catch the pitiful cry of their agony; and
the last shudder which convulsed the
features Of the dead, seems yet to haunt
the air.
All about you look where you will, brave
boys are falling thick as leaves in an au-
tumn storm. Up from the meadows u re-
Enforcement of gray coats, 1900 strong,
is trampiing the blossoming grasses under
foot. Each man is as thoroughly in ear
nest as men are sure to be, when some ia.
tai moment unlooses the bulldog passions
in their souls. Their front is like the crest
OF an angry sea. Takeyour glass and look
closely at this magnificent charge. Under
the strongest glass, the most distant hu-
man figures mot larger than cuckroaches
on the actual canvas) stand out clear, dis
tinct, artistic and life sized, thus vastly
enlarging the scope OF vision.
Through the very thickest OF the battles
magnificent horse is flying riderless. His
gallant master lies somewhere in the red
storm OF death. but he, with head erect
and strained blood shot eye, is seeking
safety, he knows not where. Away from
the tangle of white faces, and pale, out
stretched hands; away from the scream OF
bursting shells; away from the wars tur-
moil to the peace Of the hills, the frighten-
ed horse, they tell us, found his way at
last to safety and an honored old age. The
event was an actual occurrence OF that day
OF horror.
Perhaps the feature which appeals most
strongly to the local beholders is the vivid
portrayal OF the historic charge OF the gal
liant old First Minnesota" regiment.
This regiment is truthfully and graphical
ly portrayed rushing heorically to the
flaming front, under the leadership of the
brave Col. Colvill, who was desperately
wounded in this battle, and yet survives.
manned and disfgured, an honored citi-
zen OF Red Wing. The colonel and a large
number OF the men of the old First" are
painted from photographs, and the like
ncsses are readily recognized. The bat
tie flag Of the Tweuty.eighth Virginia regi-
ment. which led the charge of Pickett's
division, and is correctly painted in its
place in the picture, lies in the fore
ground. 1t was captured by Marshall
Sherman, of st. Paul, member of the
First Minnesota, and by him loaned to the
panorama company.
The canvas presents for lis but one mo-
ment-an eternal moment-of the struggle
that waged so rcely for three long sum-
mer days. But it strikes that one moment
so sharpely, it holds it forth SO grandly,
and immortaiizes it SO completely that, to
see the picture is to the thoughtful soul a
full revelation OF direiul yet glorious
epoch OF history. Never imagine for sim
gle moment that the Gettysburg piano.
rama will bore you, or that it ranks with
the ordinary panoramic visit to tame
lands and scriptural places. This wonder
iul painting is as unlike the average piano.
1t